Autumn
Murodo plateau
Late September to early October: alpine grasses, lingering snow and the Tateyama peaks together.
CHAPTER 01Kurobe Dam & the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Omachi’s greatest asset is being the Nagano-side gateway to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. From Ogizawa you can cross the mountains all the way to Toyama, changing between electric buses, cable cars and ropeways at Kurobe Dam, Kurobedaira, Daikanbo, Murodo and Midagahara — a journey with no equal in Japan.
🍁 A note on the autumn colours
Timing on the Alpine Route varies enormously with altitude: Murodo peaks in late September to early October, the area around Kurobe Dam in mid-October, and the Omachi valley in late October to early November. With a car you can simply drive to wherever the colour is best that day.
Autumn colour calendar
Because the altitude range around Omachi is so wide, the colours can be followed for roughly two months, from late September to mid-November. Timing shifts from year to year, so please check the latest information before setting out.
| AREA | ALTITUDE | BEST TIME (APPROX.) | WHAT TO LOOK FOR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murodo & Daikanbo | 2,300–2,450m | Late Sept – early Oct | Alpine grasses and rowan against lingering snow |
| Kurobe Dam & Kurobe Lake | 1,470m | Mid-October | Blue water against the turning hillsides |
| Ogizawa & Omachi Onsenkyo | 1,000–1,400m | Mid – late October | Enjoyable from the car as you drive |
| Lakes Kizaki & Aoki, Omachi town | 750–850m | Late Oct – early Nov | Beautiful reflections on the lake surface |
| Hakuba & the larch forests | 700–1,000m | Late Oct – mid Nov | Golden larch closes the season |
CHAPTER 02Hiking in the Northern Japan Alps
The Ushiro-Tateyama range includes some of Japan’s best-known peaks: Jiigatake, Kashimayari, Goryu, Karamatsu and Shirouma. With a car you can reach the trailheads before first light, and routes that are awkward by public transport become simple.
CHAPTER 03Hakuba — a resort for all four seasons
About 35 to 40 minutes from Omachi, Hakuba hosted events at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics and remains an international mountain resort. Golden larch in autumn, skiing and snowboarding in winter, trekking in summer.
CHAPTER 04Matsumoto & Zenko-ji — history and castle towns
Matsumoto, about 50 to 60 minutes south, grew up around its National Treasure castle. Head north instead and you reach Zenko-ji in Nagano City. Both are comfortable day trips.
CHAPTER 05Snow monkeys & Nozawa Onsen
Jigokudani Yaen-koen, home of the famous “snow monkeys”, draws visitors from around the world. The macaques are easiest to watch bathing in winter. It is about two hours from Omachi, and the drive towards the Shiga Kogen highlands is spectacular in itself.
CHAPTER 06Getting to Omachi, and using it as a base
Omachi is easy to reach by train or car, and from here the whole of the Northern Alps region is within range. Choose whichever of our two branches suits your plans.
DESTINATION
🏔️ Ogizawa (Kurobe Dam)
From the Station Branch: approx. 30 min
From the Onsenkyo Branch: approx. 20 min
DESTINATION
🎿 Hakuba & Iwatake
From the Station Branch: approx. 40 min
From the Onsenkyo Branch: approx. 35 min
DESTINATION
🏯 Matsumoto Castle
From the Station Branch: approx. 50 min
From the Onsenkyo Branch: approx. 60 min
DESTINATION
🌿 Azumino & Daio Wasabi Farm
From the Station Branch: approx. 25 min
From the Onsenkyo Branch: approx. 35 min
DESTINATION
🙏 Zenko-ji (Nagano City)
From the Station Branch: approx. 70 min
From the Onsenkyo Branch: approx. 75 min
DESTINATION
🐒 Snow Monkey Park
From the Station Branch: approx. 2 hours
From the Onsenkyo Branch: approx. 2 hours
※ All driving times are approximate and vary with traffic, season and road closures.
Shinano-Omachi Station Branch
3059 Omachi, Omachi City, Nagano 398-0002 (inside Takenoya Ryokan)
2-minute walk from JR Shinano-Omachi Station
Open 8:00–18:00 (irregular holidays)
Omachi Onsenkyo Branch
2811-3 Taira, Omachi City, Nagano 398-0001 (inside the Sake Museum)
Approx. 15 min by car from the station; approx. 20 min to Ogizawa
Open 8:00–18:00 (irregular holidays)
See the season at its best, from Omachi.
Autumn moves quickly, and the finest views change from one day to the next. With your own car you can follow them. 40% off every vehicle from April to November.